Axe Head in Two Pieces

[One Ping Only]

Hello Everyone,

Found the two pieces to this broken axe head on two different days metal detecting in NC - imagine my joy when I realized they actually fit together 😃

Anyway, from what I?ve gathered so far in doing a little research, the head shape seems to align with the one I?ve seen on identification charts as a NC axe, and the poll seems to suggest a ?fold over? construction which if I understand correctly implies handmade forging by a blacksmith or similar tradesperson.

I?m curious as to its age, and though I can?t make out any markings, I?m wondering if being able to see the inside of the cheeks and how they fit together, how they separated, how they line up, etc. can give us a clue as to it?s age?

Also, the bit edge has a black trim running it?s length?does anybody know the significance of that?

The head is 5 inches by 4.25 inches and the two pieces together weigh about 2 lbs. As you can see from the pics I?ve cleaned it up a bit using some rust remover and am contemplating having an armature stand made to hold the pieces together for display, but we?ll see.

I?m new to the forums - thank you in advance for any insights!

 

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[vpnavy]

1st - I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard One Ping Only! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

2nd - Nice find! Thanks for sharing...

3rd - I pulled these from other TN threads...

United States Department of Agriculture

A Practical Ax Manual Brief History of the Ax.
Here are a few pictures - a bunch more on the website


Axe Head (Mar 18, 2010)


Hammer (Better Pics) (Feb 20, 2008)


Can someone give me some information on an axe head (Nov 08, 08:57 AM)
​

 

[Tony in SC]

A fold over usually indicates being Smith made, but some of the very early production axes were also folded. The dark tint could have come come tempering? I would guess 1800's because early 1900 it was better to by a hardware store axe?

 

[Tony in SC]

And welcome to Tnet!

 

[One Ping Only]

Thank you for the profile location tip…done…and the axe chart suggests a North Carolina pattern which makes sense as that is where I found it �� Appreciate you sharing those charts very much! ����

 

[One Ping Only]

1800’s…cool, thank you. And thank you for the welcome! Excited to be part of these forums. I read something about smiths using steel for the bit edge itself, laminating it within the rest of the head piece which was made from iron. No clue if that’s happening here but maybe the black edge at the bevel line is where the two laminated pieces meet?

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[releventchair]

I agree with the steel insert in bit's edge.
Steel was precious in relation to value when measured against iron.
The iron was folded , then the insert forge welded.

Axe heads varied by geography.
But also among smiths.
A smithy from another culture or location could continue what they had been building elsewhere.
And a good smith could make a build based on customer preference. And customers varied.

You're in N.Y. or near for recovery site?
In very cold weather an axe head should be warmed before use. As they could be brittle when very cold.
A wooden maul/mallet used to drive a head like a wedge is easier on the head than a hammer , or poll of another axe.
But tools as ever can be subject to abuse.

Welcome to TreasureNet!
And congrats on the recovery. It's a keeper for sure.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Hey, great Find...!
....and, Welcome to TreasureNet...!

 

[oldmxrat]

Cool find, and welcome to Tnet!

 

[One Ping Only]

Thank you! Glad to be aboard!

Ahhh…so the steel insert really was a thing - that explains the black line. On closer study of the head I can actually see where a large glob of the steel hardened and is clearly a different material than the iron. I’ll post it below.

Sounds like between the geography, blacksmith’s personal background, the customer, and other factors, the resulting axe head design could be influenced in ways that make it difficult to tie it with any certainty to one specific locale. I found this guy in NC (I’m in NY now but spend considerable time in NC where I grew up).

Interesting about the cold temp impact - makes sense. Maybe this guy shattered on a cold morning ��

 

[One Ping Only]